Branson urges cooperation on climate change

Sir Richard Branson today called on the global aviation industry to work together to tackle the growing issue of climate change and outlined plans for a "starting grid" on runways to reduce fuel use.

The billionaire businessman, who last week pledged US$3bn dollars towards renewable energy initiatives, said if airlines, airports, air traffic controllers and governments worked together, up to 25% of the world's aviation carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be cut.

He has written to other airlines, engine manufacturers and airport operators urging them to support a cross industry forum that will help deliver practical ways of tackling global warming.

The aviation industry is currently responsible for around 2% of global CO2 emissions, a figure Sir Richard claimed could be reduced to 1.5%.

In his letter to aviation chiefs, the Virgin Atlantic owner stressed the need to speed up the pace at which the industry reduces its impact on the environment.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that part of the plan involved more efficient movement of aircraft around the world's busiest airports.

Starting grids "One of those ideas is to set up starting grids at the airports so that instead of sitting on planes with CO2 spewing out of those planes for anything up to 60-90 minutes ... while you're waiting to get on the runway to take off, you're towed by a small tug to the starting grid and then the pilot would turn on the engines 10 minutes before take off and then take off.

"We've worked out, on a global basis, we're talking about billions of tonnes of CO2 savings just on that idea alone."

Arriving aircraft could also be towed to the stand by a tug meaning they could turn their engines off five minutes after touching down.

Virgin Atlantic believes the "starting grid" system would reduce fuel consumption before planes take off by between 50%-90%.

People living close to airports would also benefit from lower noise levels and cleaner air.

In addition, the adoption by all airlines of a slower and smoother method of descent could significantly reduce the amount of fuel burnt when planes come into land, according to Sir Richard.

The current approach favoured by most airlines involves planes descending in several steep steps which burns more fuel.

Air traffic control Sir Richard also called for a single European air traffic control system which could "optimise" the use of airspace.

At the moment there are 35 different air traffic control organisations operating in Europe, compared with just one in the US.

The International Air Transport Association has predicted that 12% of global aviation CO2 emissions could be saved if air traffic control systems were more efficient.

Sir Richard will flesh out his proposals during a speech in New York later.

He is due to say: "What we're suggesting would save over 150m tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

"With global warming the world is heading for a catastrophe. The aviation industry must play its part in averting that."

Critical problem British Airways said climate change was "an absolutely critical problem facing the whole industry" and that many of Sir Richard's ideas could effectively reduce emissions.

However, a spokesman said many of the fuel-efficiency measures were already in place or being looked into by a group set up last year, which includes 70 airlines and airport owners, of which Virgin Atlantic is one.

BA had, he added, been using continuous descent approaches, as proposed by Sir Richard, for the past decade.

"We don't see the need for another body to look at this and we're a little puzzled by today's comments," said the spokesman.

Richard Dyer, transport campaigner for Friends of the Earth, welcomed Sir Richard's comments that the aviation industry could do more to reduce its impact on climate change.

However, he added: "His proposed measures will help, but they are nowhere near enough.

"UK aviation carbon emissions grew by 11% last year alone. Governments must act to curb the growth in flying and cancel all airport expansion. Ministers have the opportunity to do this in their review of aviation policy later this year - we need a fundamental policy rethink."